Kat817

Sometimes it is hard to be a Mom and human!!!! It is such a hard place to be when someone you love and want only the best for gets it, and you get left behind. You really, truly are happy for them....but envious just the same. Love your DD and be open to how she wants to approach this is about all I could say. Good Luck! Kat

My first fill took a few pokes too---enough that I come home and drew a road map to it!!! But Lo and behold as you lose weight your skin and your muscle beneath do not always remain in the same position, and sure enough by the second fill my map was off by fractions!!! At least with your freckle you have a basic idea!!! Glad you first fill is behind you now! Kat

Welcome msmary, pull up a chair and a keyboard and tell us all about yourself. I'm Kat, and I chat with these fine folks---some actually from Jersey, even though I am in New Mexico!!! I love these guys!! I am married, with 3 kids, and 6 grandkids...who I rattle on about endlessly!! I got my band in April of 06---and love it more than I can say! We look forward to hearing about how things go with yours!!! Welcome! Kat

I know Terry---Tracy's post just made my day!!! Laura, I used to love the storms, and loved the time we lived where we had lots of tornado watches and warnings, even a few touched down. But once the kids were there, anything and I do mean ANYTHING that could adversely affect them, was not something I much enjoyed anymore! My youngest DD was/is afraid of storms, she would have been petrified...and the Mom in me would have shattered into billions of pieces being unable to stop them for her... So where we ended up is good for us!!!! Amazing the things we realize have changed when kids come into things!!! Kat

Well if I read between the edit crap right Tracy---WOOOO the F'in HOOOOOO!!!!!!!! You got your boy protected!! I am so proud of you!!!! Kat

Good morning-- Man it is quiet at my house this morning!!! I was sleeping soundly, and my Mom called----grrrrrr!!! Now if she did not have an appointment this morning she would have still been sleeping herself, she has got to where she sleeps in late every day!!! The more rest combined with exercise she gets, the less pain she has with her fibromyalgia. Yep Terry, Kinsey being in the hospital was a VERY scary ordeal! It scared her pretty badly too. The other night she was swimming in the bathtub---she acts like a little otter! She sloshed water up at the same time she went to say something and inhaled it, and began choking on it, ended up gagging, and freaking out "Granny I sick!!! I no gotta go to hostible please?" Goofball! One thing about it, it made a good enough impression, that we have been able to tell her not to do something ,or it will make her sick and she might have to go to the hospital and get pokes. And if we say that, she does NOT do it! We don't do it over everything, the 2 that we DID use it on, was her at the lake, she was not very careful about not drinking the lake water, so we told her it would make her sick.... and the other case was a terrible habit that most kids get about putting everything in their mouths...she was horrid! When all the issues with the China made toys come out, we freaked, and began telling her if she chewed on her toys it might make her sick! Toys stay out of her mouth now! Well Ms. Jen we were either really early for next year on your birthday...or late for last! Hope Amanda had a good one on her own then! Some people calling me skinny I don't mind---others it is said in a way that irritates me. I had a thing come up last week....I avoided it, so never mentioned it, but I took it like a half assed compliment in its own way---and yet it made me MAD as hell! Our local group that meets for the American Cancer Society, is very cliquish. They all look alike, act alike, and of them only a couple have ever dealt with cancer, and none of them personally. They just are into the whole fundraising thing. Which I know we need this group of Barbies...but I SOON realized I had nothing to offer or gain from the group, or more to the point, we each wanted nothing to gain from one another. So I quit going. Each year, they send me a gift bag, as a survivor etc. Well I ran into (y'all are SOOOOO gonna laugh--but it be true) Bipsie in the mall last week, she was dumbfounded, you could tell but struggled not to mention my weight loss, she did her usual run down of how her perfect family is excelling etc., and we each went our own way. Well a few days ago she calls me. The ACS is having a fundraiser, an annual fashion show. I had read of it many times, but it is by ticket sales only or invitation and I was never included, or aware in time to participate by buying tickets---which I likely would not have done anyway!!! So I though WOW! I get an invite this year! But no one of her women had cancelled and she needed a survivor for a model---and was looking for a size 12/14---she thought that looked like about my size...Now first HOW do those women do that??? I barely know what size to try on myself!!! But secondly and more importantly---WTH I was never good enough to be just in the audience before and now that I have lost weight I don't offend you anymore so you want me to help you out when you are in a bind??? UH...No...thanks anyway. I have ignored her calls since. In my emotional limbo, I just couldn't face all the cancer talk....besides the above reason. Bipsie would be kind if I told her about this...but I don't want her fake kindness. Now there are others who would be sincere---but would rather hope for the best at this point!!! *****LIST UPDATE****** I am going to try to finalize our list the next few days while I have minimal distractions!! I will make a post about what info I need from who. If you have not forwarded me any info---we are making a list, a contact list, to be used simply by us, kept for us. To contact someone in the event they fail to show up for several days, to assure ourselves they are ok. To exchange Christmas cards, and general support. Our list contains Name and spouses or partners name Address Phone Contact email Birthday I will let those of you I have know if I need additional info from you since we added a couple of categories!!! And anyone wanting on the list just PM me the information. Only those on the list will receive the list. Laura is doing the Secret Santa Christmas Exchange. If you are interested in doing it, forward your info to her as well, and don't forget to fill out the info sheet on the Secret Santa thread. Ooooh I originally typed that as the Sexret Santa....think it was accidental or the old Freudian slip????!!!!! Will be back after I find some breakfast!!! Kat

Bobbisox, there have been entire other threads devoted to how much each paid, and whether they thought it was worth it---and the overwhelming response, regardless of what they paid was YES!!! In my personal case, I spent right about $8K and it was worth every penny!!! Do your research! Then hop on the bandwagon!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

I thought it was intentional too!!!! And as for height disguising weight, it does to a point yep!!! I know my Dr'.s nurse was always freaked out when she weighed me, she would put the little weight thing on 200 and when it wouldn't register, the first time she actually backed it to 150!!! Uh...no, the other way! When she would get to 250, and keep edging the second weight up, she would look so shocked!!! Maybe it was fear....I mean I had her by a good 6" before I stepped up another 6-8" on the scale---I towered over her good then!!!! Kat

Hi girls--it is after 11, and Kinsey just left. The kids had a sidetrack, helped a woman who was broke down. She was actually in front of them, when she lost a radiator hose, and all the steam and fluid, shot up---they pulled over when she did, and ended up running her to Page AZ and back to her car, where Ryan fixed the hose....which made them late, but Manda refused to wake up another morning without Kinsey!!! I dunno Jane---maybe it is the whole MRI thing, that is causing the blues---it is a scary thing. They don't just do them for the fun of doing them. I get that way each year when they do my bone scan...and then all this stuff starting up again, it is scary as hell, and for sure caused me some stress eating...as well as depression. Probably if anyone can understand my not wanting more chemo it would be you. My brother in law in Denver was having strange things happen to him for several months, and his Dr. was treating him, and telling my SIL it was early onset Alzheimers. He was in his early 60's (Rick's sister is 14 years older than Rick), so they were upset but not totally disbelieving. Then my niece, went into pre term labor with a child, and they were at the hospital for several days, while the baby was born, and fighting to survive (Niece is type 1 diabetic uncontrolled), he had a spell where he passed out. Well the nurses of course had him taken to the ER. The Dr.'s there said Alzheimers does not cause you to pass out, and began looking further. By the time he was diagnosed, he had a stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumor. Inoperable due to the proximity to the medula oblongata. He took infusion therapy chemo for several months, and did the radiation, and seemed to be handling it pretty well. Then the oncologist, wanted to put him onto oral chemo that was supposed to be less nauseating than the infusion...he took it 2 days and it put him into a coma he never come out of! In the end, it was not a proper medication, for his situation. Now my SIL is fairly high up the chain of command at United Healthcare, so she has the know how of who to go after and has done so...but that doesn't bring him back. So while I know we get down over things, and that can let us make bad decisions, you survived something many, maybe most do not!!! If you can whip something like brain cancer, heck the rest of the weight will come off! It might not be overnight, but it will come off! I have taken longer to lose the last 20 pounds than I did the first 80!!! And there were times I had just a "who in the hell cares" attitude.......quite often over the last week! It isn't that I don't think people care, it is more a matter of just feeling tired of trying. I am not looking for sympathy....it just gets very overwhelming. I want to not worry about anything for just a little while! It has been non stop something, since I was banded. Almost immediately afterwards, Rick's mitral valve failed. He has had 2 heart surgeries, and I almost lost him (Dr. said he would likely expire in the next 10-15 minutes) from a major GI bleed. He had a bilateral tear of the esophagus where it enters the stomach---all but separated the 2! My Dad has had surgery...then Rick had to have another procedure done in his heart...I made it through all the stress of my yearly scan...and relaxed when it come up without change....only to be knocked on my butt again! I have wondered if I was being punished for getting this band! But I don't believe God works like that...so the best I can do is to do the best I can. My emotions at times are all over the place, and what I would do with out my friends, here and in RL---I have no idea. I say things to you guys that my RL friends I could not! With that in mind Jane, all I can say is I understand....and log on, and vent to us! We DO care, just as I know I have you guys out there caring that I too lose it quite frequently!!! Judy....mine wasn't A candy bar, it was white chocolate macadamia cookies (plural), fritos, a brownie, all kinds of things the last week or so...more than I have had in over a year combined! So, I just avoided the scale until I can get myself back in control! "De Nile" is more than just a river in Egypt !!! I would do my best to get to a gathering---I am hoping by then to have my TT behind me---providing all goes well with the tests I am having now. That will guide much of my future. Heck we have a pecan bottom to harvest, and I can't even make plans to go to Texas! I love my DH dearly, but he is a man, and would want something, somewhat entertaining....and while he would be kind and gracious to all of you, we would likely bore him within minutes!!! Maybe bore is not the right word, but make him feel like he was the only one not in the know of an inside joke. I also know he would prefer me to go and have a good time, alone with my friends!!! Same as when we go to Denver, and he goes back to the shop to see his old crew, I usually opt to shop.... I would have to fly out of Albq. give me where I need to fly to again, and I will check into it. Well I have typed a book here.....I just so totally related to what some of you were saying to Jane, and how she is feeling---I got carried away!! I am free tomorrow, Manda is staying home the rest of the week with Kinsey---I am going to miss that little girl. She has behaved so well, I am just in shock, at how simply it went. Once again my heart is walking around outside my body, being controlled by a child!! Will check in when I decide to drag my lazy butt outta bed in the morning! (((hugs))) to all.... Kat

Hi crew! Woohoo Jessica, you will be a bandster in just days!!! It will be such a wonderful thing, just you wait and see!!! I had day 2 of my tests done today, and survived. Now I have nothing until the biggie on Friday, the biopsies---yuck! My stomach has been trashed lately too!!! Last night I attributed it to the pill they gave me for this test---but DH's was the same way---he was so gassy he dang near knocked the house off the foundation, lucky for us, it was just passing air, and did not run us out odor wise!!!! So I guess it may have been some bug. Feel better today, but we have soup cooking, to take it kind of easy. Kind of....because it has some green chile in it!!! It is a creamy chicken, green chile & cheese soup he loves. It is easy, so I said sure!!! Betty hope you are feeling better too, and Cindy, hope Haven is ok. I better get with it, I have lots to still accomplish...Manda is on her way home, so I lose my overnight guest. I would have thought I would be excited, and tired of being "mama" again, but I have loved it!!! It has not been hard, she has been so well behaved, I find it just hard to believe!!! I am going to miss her little laugh in the evening, watching her play with Papa. When I told him she was leaving tonight, and he wouldn't have to worry about his state of dress, his only comment was "it was worth it, I'll miss Paula." He calls her Paula Punk. Will try to check back in after dinner sometime. Mandy, I will let you know when my DD goes to contact you! Thanks so much!!! Kat

Ok, wanted to get that posted so I didn't miss saying it to Amanda. I am ready for day 2, I had no real issues with the pill, I had kind of an icky stomach feeling, like I was full of air---but nothing ever come of it, I went to sleep and all was fine. Once Kinsey went to sleep, she did fine, stayed that way til after 8 this morning! I know I often complain about my inlaws, and even my own family--but the situations like y'all are having makes me very appreciative of my families. I have no issue of where we go---we all get together. Be it here, at my SIL's or my MIL's. Seldom at my folks, but that may change soon. We never met there much because my niece had young kids, and my parents were not set up for kids. Well now her kids are growing up, and my parents have adapted to having the great grandkids around!!! But we ALL gather! I come from a small family. My brother is my only sibling, he as I have said was injured, and is not married, and has no children. My grandparents have all passed away. We have one Aunt here, but they INSIST all their holidays be immediate family ONLY! So they never were there, and my other Aunts and Uncles were from other states. Our best friends don't have family here, so they usually joined us---their sons think my parents are their Grandparents...so seriously in High School the oldest son finally ask how they were related!!! But Rick on the other hand has a big family. Siblings with young kids, siblings with kids and grandkids....lots of people!!! Through the years, siblings have come and gone as jobs change etc. We still have I would guess close to 50 when we get together!!! Now as my kids and my nieces & nephews marry, they are running into the same issues you have...and there are times they are not there---which sucks!!! Our youngest DD is never with us. They stop by late in the day if at all. It hurts! But she is the one married to the HUGE Mama's boy who is the germaphobic! Oldest DD and DS make an effort to be fair, but you can see they want to be with us! We just try to give them what we have, and invite their inlaws to join us. Some have, others prefer not to!! We usually make a menu plan, and try to get everyone involved...which I have complained before how that oftentimes does not happen!!! But knowing one way or the other everyone will be together, and no family will be sad about being alone...which is what my family would be---makes it much easier on me! My granddaughter spends each Christmas Eve with her Dad. It is in their divorce decree, he gets every Christmas Eve, and Manda every Christmas morning. That way they can develop traditions for both, was the reasoning. My inlaws open gifts on Christmas Eve. So we usually spend the evening out there, and open what we receive out there, and take theirs to them that night. For years the kids met here EARLY (6ish) on Christmas morning, or spent the night, even with spouses!! My folks and my brother come over same time, we eat and open gifts. Well now the kids have kids! So they stay at home, and open gifts since that is where Santa would leave them obviously! We have been invited to join them...not sure if we will, or if we will sleep in!!! Then later in the morning, 11 ish, we will head to wherever dinner is going to be. As I stated this summer, I hosted ALL the summer gigs, I am not doing the holidays!!! So I WILL be going somewhere!!! I wish you all luck settling the familial thing....I remember them well from my first marriage. It killed me to think of my folks and my brother sitting at the table all by themselves....without me!!! Or the kid to laugh at!! I sympathize with you!!!! Kat

Real Quick before Amanda leaves...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA AND JENNIFER!!!!! I hope your special days are happy and fun filled. I feel lucky to call you my friends---and wish we were close enough to celebrate together!!! (((((big BIG birthday hugs))))) Kat

Well Kinsey is FINALLY asleep after I rubbed her back for awhile, she just wanted to visit!!! Denise, when we got that ultrasound pic of her we called her a jellybean!!! Glad all is well! Nighty-Night all! Kat

Just a quick check in before heading off to bed. This is the night I could have went to sleep at 7 PM, and Kinsey is not sleepy in the least. She is laying in there, fairly quiet, I hear her singing now and then....but still awake. I remember as a kid, hating my parents going to bed before I was asleep! I thought it was just me, until my DD got old enough I was able to go to bed and leave her up...she refused, if she thought I was going to bed, she was in and under the sheets in a hurry---so I can't bring myself to go to bed, until Kins falls to sleep!!! "You are my shunshine..."more singing coming from her room!!! Yes I have to go back tomorrow and then again on Friday. Today I did the MRI, and 2 different contrast scans. Then they did a test to determine if I were going to have a problem with the iodine...and I didn't so they gave me a pill to swallow, and it seems to have passed without issue. It will make the iodine gather in the thyroid for another scan of some sort. Then Friday I have fine needle biopsies. Then my fun is over for a few days anyway---and I hope for good results! DD and her bf are headed home, will be in tomorrow. I will be glad, and yet sad, it has been a pleasure having Kinsey with us. She is definitely going to have to stay with us more often! Wind is blowing like crazy outside---leaves are going to really come down now! Is supposed to gust to 50 mph tomorrow. It sprinkled rain tonight. Weather is turning to fall in a hurry now! Yep it is time for some of our girls to check in!!! My best friend I talk about so much they too have a rottenwieller!!! I love the new name!!! Her real name is Hershey, and I would take that dog in a second, she is such a sweetheart!!! Her companion, Walker a rhodesian ridgeback had to be put down a couple of months ago from complications from diabetes! They gave him insulin shots twice a day. Poor Hershey wants someone to play with so bad! It would take 50 or more of this little chihuahua "Dozer" to make 1 Hershey and there is no comparison!!! One is a dog, the other a PITA!!! Kinsey is not wanting to go to sleep tonight, she just called in and ask could she get up, so I shut off all the lights and TV, and told her no, even Granny was going to bed in a minute---which is true, Granny is ready to drop!!! So gonna go brush my teeth, do all the go to bed things!!! Talk to ya in the morning! Kat

I'm home too! Glad to hear things went as well as they could for a court system, and his no show crap!!! You just take it a step at a time, and the deeper hole he gets dug into financially the better your odds I would guess. Woo hoo on the 12's!!! I have 2 pairs of old 12's I was given that I can wear, but all my new and regulars are 14's and likely will remain that until this belly goes!!! Was also happy to hear the Dr. is going to run things again for you TracyK. I know exactly what you mean about psyching yourself up for the quit! I quit as a New Years Resolution, and chose the day of April 1st. In 100% honesty I know I chose that day in case I wimped out I could claim it was an April Fools joke. Then my ex said I couldn't quit, I was too weak. Just the thing I needed to do it! Last April was 16 years ago!!! We will help! Get your Chantix! Pamela I am sure your observation went fine!!! Enjoy your class! Terry--glad you remembered to thank Tracy's DH for being one of the good guys, they don't get remembered for it too often, they are all usually lumped together as jerks, and they aren't all bad!!! You are always so with it! Well they did 2 different scans today, the MRI and a contrast scan. I had to lie with my head hanging for over an hour, I have a killer headache, and cannot take anything! Then they did an allergen test, and I passed, so they wanted me to swallow a horse capsule, for the scan tomorrow! I said uh uh!!! They found it in smaller capsules in the other pharmacy at the hospital. So tomorrow I go back to have this one done. They measured me, and drew all over my throat with marker! Now my plan was to go to Walmart and grab the things I didn't do yesterday----but I have on a deep V neck shirt, with markings all over me---so just come home, my head hurt too bad anyway. Come home to get Kinsey, and found out the dog had bit her in the face. They have this (sorry but it is) Stupid teeny tiny chihuahua....he weighs like under 3 pounds! It was given to Manda's bf---and the girls love him, but he is attaching to my Mom, and Kinsey went to hug her, and he nailed her. I called Manda and told her the dog has strike 1------she knows I will personally eat the dog if necessary at strike 3!!! No, she really is a good Mom, and will not keep the dog if it is not good with the girls---but I was furious! Thank goodness I put dinner in the crockpot, I do not feel like doing anything!!! Thanks for all the prayers that went with me today, I could feel them! I told Rick, that I had the waiting room full of people waiting for me today! I will come back later tonight, and check in with everyone---going to get Kinsey fed...her broccoli and cheese is ready! Kat

LOL HarleyNana---my DH is only begining to use the computer very much---and when he types he does the old hunt and peck, and he "pecks" HARD!!! I tell him he even types loud, he ALWAYS has the TV blaring!!! Maybe all the testosterone is plugging up their ears.....man it was hard to say that and not something TOTALLT naughty!!! Kat

Hi girls-- After a toss and turn night, I finally was sleeping good, Kinsey was sleeping...Rick told me to stay in bed, closed the door and left for work....and the phone rang! Rang twice and as I answered it they hung up! I was so mad--then I thoroughly mad, when I come in here and looked at the called ID---was my MIL! She meant to dial her PCP, and couldn't remember if she had dialed right. It was 7---not terribly early, but I know my granddaughter would have slept another hour. That made me mad, but to not have the courtesy to say Ooops---that irritated me to no end! They postponed my MRI to this afternoon, which is what we tried to do yesterday---but it would not fit the schedule then, they had a cancellation, and it worked for me! The hospital is clear across town, and close to nothing worth shopping in, and I was going to have to go twice today---now I can do it all this afternoon. PLUS I do not have to have my MIL watch Kinsey! My Mom will be finished in time and can do it. My MIL is good to her, but pawns her off on my DIL all the time so the kids can "play" which consists of my rough and tumble grandson, being allowed to push and pinch , and hit on my granddaughter who is punished for fighting back or defending herself. I seriously do not mean to sound like I am playing the favortism card, I would be just as protective if they let Kinsey abuse Connor without intervening, but they don't. Connor is only 18 months old, but he has her by about 4 pounds now, and is just aggressive, and they do not EVER tell him NO about anything. It makes me incredibly sad, but seeing him coming is not always heartwarming. It means work, and noise! HE is getting better, it is not from parental direction, it is from him learning what we will and won't let him do with us. He comes runnnig with his arms up to give loves, and has learned to mind us pretty well, but if he really wants something he can't have (phone, remote, coffee cup...etc) he launches himself in the floor for a flaming fit, and Mama comes and appeases him with some equally off limits something! It is horrible, they are doing him such an injustice! Tracy---You were in my morning prayers---my folks too, I had them put my band sisters in their daily blessings!!! TracyK--hope you find out whats up with your readings! I am so sorry for your nephew--how is the A$$ of a Dad dealing with him? Is it worse because of him? Pamela---you will knock the socks off the principal in his observation today! Terry--your scale moved!!! Girl, I cannot tell you how happy I am for you! You lucky thing, mine is stalled, or at least has been when I bother to check it! oh! Maybe it is me that is stalled not the scale!!! Judy---appreciate all the good prayers and thoughts from you my friend---since you do have a priority line!!!!j/k, I know I have my OWN priority line as well!!! I just appreciate using EVERYONES!!! Ms. Jenn---hope you find some time to relax and enjoy today---appreciate all the good thoughts coming from you!! Jenn---what kind of restaurant is your step sister opening? Gina--I saw your post on another thread to HarleyNana-(Pat) if you get a chance to hook up with her--do it, she is a riot!!! We chat on another thread (NJ---and yes I know I am not in Jersey!!). Tell her I said HI!! Laura--you might give the cat a complex--making her weigh all the time!!! Silly girl! I love the mental image of the indignant cat with a scale under her bed....little more than the Princess' pea!!! Denise---how's things with the DD's? Amanda---how's things across the water? Panda---still enjoying Onederland?? I am sure you are!!! Kelly---if you check in I am waiting to hear how the fill went!!!! Michelle---glad the lake is lovely--wish we were all there with you! I know I have missed some, I cannot think these days!!! Will catch you next time around!!!! Better post this before I lose it, because as before, I was lazy and went Quick reply!!! TTYL---will let you know how today goes! Kat Praying hard for you Tracy, and for your nephew & results too TracyK! Kat

Well when you begin seriously researching how the band works, you will understand it a bit more. With a remote controlled band devise a port would not be needed. Ports are connected to tubing which connects to the band. The saline is injected into the port, travels through the tubing and into the band to constrict it more. If they used the device we are discussing, no ports or tubing would be required. As it is now, ports are stitched into a muscle, each Dr. having his or her preferred placement. Sometimes they do flip, having popped stitches, or the muscle contracting just so. Many can be re positioned in the office in a minor procedure with a local anesthetic, others require a minor surgery to fix. Will be exciting to see what course this band takes in the future! It is already such a huge change from the original non adjustable bands they used!!! Kat

It was never bad or infrequent, but the possibilities have greatly increased!!! Kat

Very true---anything at all in the stomach that would cause the stomach to work to digest was totally off limits to me for a month! I will admit to cutting it by a couple of days, and begining mushies, maybe 2 days early! But I was very careful following the rules during healing, I understood it could sway your results with the band completely!!! Now I eat most of the same foods I did prior to banding, but in differing ways, and amounts!! I seldom eat much starch based foods. Things like baked potatoes used to be a favorite, but now to get the butter, and sour cream, and everything together, and mixed up to just take one or 2 bites is just not worth it!!! I have learned so much about how to eat for my body, I wish I had the determination to DO the things I know!!! As it is, I found a happy medium for me. We all have different weaknesses, and different weak times of the day....or places that trigger binge activity...we each have to find our own way to cope with these things. It is one learning process after another!!!! BUT this time it is with results!!! Good Luck to you! Kat

Thanks so much! I am not too nervous about the tests the next couple of days, but the ones Friday have me a bit that way! I know all about the all nighters!!! I have had my granddaughter since Friday, they will be home on Wednesday evening. She has been an angel though---she is used to being here, so it is not an unusual place for her, and she knows our rules. She has her room. I was expecting it to be a bigger challenge! It is just the evening is non stop!!! Cook dinner, get a bath, get lotioned (her all time favorite Granny thing---we lotion her up ears and all, lots of giggles!) Read a couple of books, snuggle with Papa, and then she reads him the books I read her, and off to bed. Then she needs a drink, then needs to go potty, and finally really goes to bed, about 8:30 or 9!!! Enjoy your nutrition class, and don't stress over the hernia, I had one, they repaired it during surgery---mine did not stay repaired, but it is not a big deal! My parents both have them, my best friend just found out she has one, and none of them are banded---it is more common he told my friend than acid reflux, and is the biggest cause of acid reflux---I agree with that! It is a busy time leading up to surgery, but so so worth it in my opinion!! What a treat you are giving yourself! Although that night you might think someone tricked you! I did not find it a painful surgery---just teasing you about your Halloween date!!! Mandy---I was wondering if I might bug you about helping my DD plan a Disney trip? They are interested in going, but are clueless!!! She has been to Disneyland, but none of them have every been to Disneyworld. She was very excited to know that I "knew" someone in the know!! Well, I better get the dishwasher loaded, that is the other thing, I find one little person sure makes a difference in dishes!!! Rick told me tonight, we should have had more kids, I miss watching you laugh with the kids. I told him it is more fun to laugh with grandkids, because eventually they go home! Will let you all know how tomorrow goes---thanks for all the good thoughts my friends!!! Kat

Thanks so much girls---I am not real concerned about the tests tomorrow and the next day....Friday has me a tad nervous! Tracy---prayers, and all my good thoughts will be with you...I'll tell ya what---when I am in the tube (they scheduled me another MRI as well), and they tell me to be very still...I have to lie there with my eyes closed, thinking strongly about something or my claustrophobia kicks in!!! So when I am inside, I will use all my concentration to pray for you and your son! You will have my full attention! Thanks for the chicken ideas! Jenn, I have chicken of all kinds!!! I tend to buy up both breasts and thighs (boneless/skinless) when they go on sale, and use tons of it!!! Tonight, I fried chicken tenders. I know that is not the healthiest way of eating them, but it is one of the handiest for a 2 year old!!! I take the Fried onions (like you use on Green bean casserole) and crush some of them up with Ritz crackers, some season salt, and a bit of flour. Dredge in the mix, then into milk or yogurt (plain), then back into the cracker mixture, and fry. Rick and I like them with ranch dressing, but she does not like ranch on anything! She ate so much chicken and broccoli tonight I thought she might burst!!! She liked it! Rick and I just finished watching a PBS show about the Amazing Human Heart. Unreal! I still find it hard to believe they did all that to him! Pamela, I believe the exercise comparison---dancing is an amazing work out! I don't do anything as strenuous as what they do in jazzercise, but I'll put music on and dance with the kids, when I think that we have all been vegging for too long!!! We have fun, and gets my heart rate up!! Judy I agree, I would not say anything to DD about the jeans. I have some my DD gave me that were too big for her, and I wear them all the time, she ask me the other day if I could get into them yet....I told her I have been wearing them for 2 months, I was hoping they would be too big for me now, but they still work!!! Maybe if she brings the subject up....!!! Ms Jen---WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! 50 pounds, what a great feeling!!! Picture time!!! If not to share, at least for your own comparisons, so you can SEE how things are changing!!! Terry---you sound like me...all the neighbor kids, all the kids friends, I was Mom to everyone!!! Not to mention all the daycare kids! You should see our house on Halloween---I still have kids, and now kids bringing their kids. They all know this is a safe bathroom stop, and we will have dinner, and snacks...I have a houseful for hours! This year, I am making a big pot of chili, and having a build it yourself Frito Pie or Chili Dog bar, going to put the bowls of fritos, cheese, onions, tomatoes, sour cream, and anything else I can think of out on the bar, and just let them build what they want!! That way it can be ready for whoever, whenever. All the kids end up here different times, depending on where all they have to go! I always look forward to seeing all the kids again! Pamela, I am trying to think of something non sugar for the kids....thought about those water based tattoos, or balloons, or pencils......not sure yet what I will buy for the masses!!! Tracy--great strides!!! The front view of the shirt, is impressive, the change so evident---good job girlie!!! TracyK, Gina, Denise, Amanda, Michelle, I can't scroll back far enough to respond! I used to copy & paste from word too...guess I am going to have to again!!! My memory is not failing, it is done gone!!! Will check back with you guys in the morning before I have to go.... Kat

For some people the stricter diet does allow them the freedom from choices, and fits them. Others like myself do not do well feeling deprived!!! My Dr. also had me on 2 weeks of clear liquids---watery consistency, no thickness or pieces of any kind. Then 2 weeks of full liquids, thicker cream type of soup. It still had to be of a consistency to go through a straw for instance. Then another 2 weeks of mushies, and then slowly on to regular food. If you tolerated a full diet, including hard Proteins, then in another 2 weeks he would do your first fill. I ask about the spicy foods, and was told to watch and see if I tolerated them, and the big issue was consistency so the band could heal in proper position. As for the creams, they are indeed useless calories. BUT, if it satisfies you, keeps you on target for allowing your body to heal, it is not the worst thing! I have never strictly "dieted" since going back to real food. I do concentrate on eating much healthier, simply because I can not eat a huge amount, so I want as good of nutrition as I can get from the smaller amount of food. I do eat things that are not healthy---it may very well make my weight loss slower. I am happy this way. I eat as my palate pleases basically. I have learned HUGE amounts about nutrition, and portion sizes....all information I use everyday in my choices. I also know myself very well---and if I thought I was going to be limited to a small variety of food for the rest of my life, or even for a year while I got to goal---I would be going nuts! I don't like that! My best friend is just the opposite, she does the Slim Fast, because she doesn't have to think about food then...and all it does for me is make me think non stop about food!!! How we approach the different stages, and how each of our diets affect us is as different as each of the Dr.'s schedule of things!!! Good Luck in your healing, and in following your eating plan! Kat

Well the girlie is asleep, so I was going to get some things done, and let her nap. As I took chicken from the freezer, I was going over in my head, all the things I do with chicken, and decided I am tired of them all!!! So I am asking my Violet Sistahs----for each of you to post your favorite chicken recipe....help me find new ones!! Thanks! Kat

Good last few minutes of morning in my time zone!!!! I looked down as I typed morning and my computer says it is 11:53!!! This day has passed in a hurry, and I have so much more I wanted to do! Kinsey and I decorated for Halloween---put out all of Granny's scarecrows! She laughed at them---does not think they are scary at all!!! Then we lost her 'little princess dress'---a short one piece tutu/leotard, that the child just almost lives in!!! We hunted and looked and searched...finally finding it in Granny's hamper!!! Trying to make a point, since she put it in the hamper, I took it to the laundry, and am taking the time to wash it! It was looking pretty rough!!! We spent the morning making cinnamon rolls---such a glutton for punishment!!! Actually they are not an issue, the thought of eating one causes pain, and makes me want to slime!!! But Kinsey and Rick both love them. So we made some for our house, and made a pan to take to a friend who just lost her brother. I won't be able to attend the service, I will having my biopsy, so wanted to do something. We are heading out to Walmart in a few minutes, I have to get a few things, and want to have some simple easy things for the next few days of testing fun. Rick can and does cook, but he doesn't normally get home until 6:30 at the earliest---so I usually try to have it ready by then, so we are not eating so late. Tracy, I feel your pain, some men are soooo slick!!! One time many years ago, my ex come to get Manda, I should have sensed something was up, because he NEVER come after her! But this was early in my learning process!!! He told her when he picked her up they were going to go have pizza...really talked it up! About 10 minutes after they left, he shows back up...Manda upset, saying that pizza Hut would not take a check, and so he couldn't take her. Then he had an idea, maybe I could cash a check for him----stupid foolish me!!! My biggest concern was he would stop payment on the check! I cashed a check for him gave him all the cash I had, was a whopping like $32.00. I run to the bank the next morning, got my cash back, and relaxed. Then about a month later, I got a letter from the Child support enforcement, chewing me out, telling me I was not allowed to receive support directly, blah blah blah---he turned the check in as support paid!!! A$$hole that he was! It caused everything I had done to be eliminated, and I had to wait another several months to show he was again not paying! All over $32.00!!! And the kicker???? Manda said they didn't get to eat pizza! At the time that made me mad, I was just secretly relieved he had not stopped payment...I had no idea what was coming! I learned not to trust anything from him! He did the same thing with Manda's birthday---he would give her a check, and make it out to me, since she didn't have an account. I knew better, I refused it! I refused it so guess what she got??? Same thing she has received every year since, a big fat nothing! She told me the other day he told her he has early staged COPD, and his blood pressure was like 192/120---I could not find much sympathy. I told her I would add him to our prayer chain, and I would pray that I could be civil! Judy I think I am going to be struck first without a doubt!!!! Well, I am going to fold this load of laundry and head into town, to do our shopping....well maybe, Kinsey is looking like a nap is on the way, maybe I can wait and do it all tomorrow after my first test.... we'll see!!! TTYL~ Kat